The scientific name of turkey is Tushou chicken, also known as seven-faced bird. It is native to America. It is a herbivorous and grain-saving high-end game bird imported from abroad for meat.

1. Economic value of cultured turkeys

Turkey meat is tender and delicious, and has a good taste. Turkey has 20% more protein than other poultry, 21% less fat, and is low in cholesterol. Turkey is mainly grass-fed, with fresh and tender meat, no mutton, no smell, no drug residue, mellow and delicious taste, suitable for all ages. It can be suitable for both high-end dining tables and ordinary families. It is a nutritious and delicious food.

2. Benefits of turkey breeding

Turkeys have the characteristics of large body, fast growth, high meat production rate, strong fecundity, easy management and high efficiency. Under normal circumstances, a heavy turkey rooster can weigh 16 to 20 kilograms and a hen can weigh 9 to 15 kilograms in 140 days; a medium turkey rooster can weigh 13 to 15 kilograms and a hen can weigh 8 to 10 kilograms; Light turkey roosters can weigh 10 to 12 kilograms, and hens can weigh 5 to 8 kilograms. Turkey has a high meat yield. Turkey has well-developed breast and leg meat, accounting for more than 40% of the live weight, with a live slaughter rate of 64% and a carcass slaughter rate of more than 85%. Turkeys are highly fertile. Each turkey can produce 180 eggs per year with artificial incubation, and 80 to 100 eggs per year with natural incubation. The fertilization rate and hatching rate are both above 90%. Turkeys generally grow and develop until they are 6 months to 7 months old and start laying eggs. Every time they lay 15 to 25 eggs, they start to hold a nest. The incubation period is 26 to 28 days. The chicks start laying eggs again about 10 days after hatching. When 15 to 25 eggs are produced, they hatch again, and the cycle of production begins again and again. Artificial incubation is used and the hens are not allowed to nest, so they can continue to lay eggs.

Turkeys are easy to manage. Turkeys were originally wild animals in the Americas, feeding on plant straws, twigs, seeds, and insects. They can withstand heat and cold, sleep in wind, rain, and snow, and can forage for food, and can adapt to various harsh conditions. In artificial breeding, all crop straws can be crushed into powder and mixed well, and can be used as turkey feed, and can be adapted to indoor grazing. Each person in rural areas can raise 300 to 500 animals. Baby turkeys are born large and have a high survival rate. Generally, the weight of a newly hatched turkey can reach

110 to 130 grams, with a survival rate of more than 95%.

Turkey has a high input-output ratio. Turkeys are herbivores and require very little feed. In addition to grass, turkeys only need to be invested in water and electricity bills of 20 yuan per year

to achieve the effect of scientific breeding and earn 80 to 100 yuan. Yuan, the input-output ratio is 1:4~5. It has the advantages of low investment, high output and high efficiency.

3. Market analysis of turkeys

Turkeys are very popular abroad, and large-scale factory farming has long been carried out. Although they have not been introduced to my country for a long time, turkeys grow quickly and It is large in size, tender and delicious, rich in nutrients, eats grass and saves grain. It has been included in the "National Spark" development and wealth project, and its development prospects are very optimistic.

4. Precautions for breeding

① Pay attention to the quality of seedlings. It must be purchased from a professional turkey breeding farm because of its purity of breed, epidemic prevention and breeding technology (you can check whether there is a "Breeding Livestock and Poultry Production and Operation License"). ② Pay attention to variety selection. The choice of turkey breed is directly related to the success or failure of the turkey breeding industry. At present, the turkey breeds introduced and raised in China mainly include the heavy-duty Nicholas turkey (16 kg) from the United States and the medium-sized Highbride turkey (14 kg) from Canada. These two types of turkeys are large and bulky, making it difficult to mate naturally. They mostly use artificial insemination and are suitable for factory breeding or scientific research units. The light Betty turkey can mate naturally and hatch in all seasons. Its fertilization rate, hatching rate and survival rate are all above 90%. Therefore, first-time breeders should raise light turkeys first. ③ Pay attention to the age of the month of breeding. Introducers should buy chicks and young chickens instead of old chickens that will be eliminated or have been eliminated. The hens can only be used for two years.